Another week. Another Monday. Another chance to take on the world. And another stellar strength training workout to get going for the week. Same thing as taking on the world, right? Maybe not, but I still find it a motivating kick-off to my week.

Circuit One

Circuit Two 

Circuit Three

Since I only had strength training on plan for this morning and knew it would only take me around 35 minutes to complete, I opted out of having a small snack beforehand. I came home wanting to gnaw off my arm. This workout awoke the hunger beast, that’s for sure! In fact, it made me want something with more food than my typical oats. I whipped up an odd little combo including an over easy “dippy” egg…

…a grilled swiss cheese and jelly sandwich (if only I had brie!)…

…and a sliced apple. Chomping through all that food left my belly quite content. 🙂

And I’m sure you’re thinking “Okay. Okay. That sounds good, but get on with the progress update already!” Don’t let my mind reading powers scare you. They bring results after all…because here you are – Month 7 Progress!

As always, last month on the left and this month on the right…

As I mentioned in last month’s progress update, I have basically reached my “happy place”. I no longer actively seek to lose more baby weight or make significant progress from month to month. My goals now focus on maintaining my healthy habits and allowing my body to change or progress how it will through half marathon training, regular weights workouts, and everyday active living.

I don’t see huge changes, but I feel perfectly comfortable with that considering I listened to my body – pushing through some tough workouts or taking it easy for a week because I needed the break. All that’s not to say changes didn’t still happen. I gave up the scale so I don’t have progress to report there, but measurements all dropped a smidge.

It just hit me that I have lost almost 24 inches off my body since February. That’s TWO FEET!!! Is that even possible? I think the photos (and tape measurer) say yes…

Even when things don’t seem to happen or when you feel off your game, the body can still do its thing if you care for it overall. I cannot stress enough the importance of consistency in my journey. I give any and all credit for my progress 100% to the desire to honor and respect the body God blessed me with as much as possible on a daily basis. Not a Monday through Friday basis. Not a for six weeks and then move on basis. On a daily basis.

That doesn’t mean each day I strive for perfection…that’s ridiculous and would only end with me in a mental hospital. It means that each day I work to listen to my body and treat it well – with food to nourish, activity to energize, rest to replenish, and love to live well. It’s something every single one of us can do. Take it day by day…and always include love for that body. It deserves it!

• What accomplishments have you seen with consistency in part of your life?
• What is your favorite kind of cheese? Do you even have to ask? Goat! Although I do love me some Swiss on sandwiches.

Good morning, beautiful. How are you today? Have a good weekend? I sure hope so! Things were pretty good around here. Catch up, why don’t you?

• The Musical Fruit – yes, I talked about farting this weekend
• I Got My Hair Did – I got a haircut and also the FFF features
• Self-Love Reflection: Fight Cancer With Food – her story gives me chills!
• One Month to Live: Live Passionately – insights from my new book study

Now that you got yourself all caught up, I have even more to share with you from the weekend. I did good on Saturday morning. I achieved a new PDR and then followed it up with a pancake creation that I still have dreams over. First, let’s start with the run.

Nine miles. NINE. MILES! I strangely love long runs and couldn’t wait to go out and tackle the distance. I decided to go with the running path for this week’s run and made the trek out as early as possible. I really appreciate having such a great running path to use for long runs. It motivates me to come across so many other people out caring for their health and I like not having to worry about as many crosswalks and bug attacks. I also like knowing I can easily reach one of these when needed…

Yea. That is a welcome sight for someone who ate too much fiber. But I would have no idea who that could be. Purely hypothetical and we’ll leave it at that. 😉

Despite that quick break in the run, things went incredibly well. Nine miles with an average 9:18 pace ain’t half bad I would say.

What a way to start the weekend!

After taking care of my legs with some stretching and icing, I had to get to work taking care of my stomach. Last week, Gabriela posted about her love for the chocolate and coconut combination. That sparked an urge in me. I needed a chocolate and coconut flavor explosion. I needed these Chocolate Coconut Pancakes. Oh, yes. I did. And I think you need them too.

Chocolate Coconut Pancakes

• 1 1/4 cups flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk
• 1/4 cup light coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons canola oil (or applesauce)
• 1 large egg
• desired amount of shredded coconut

Mix the dry ingredients – flour through salt – together in a large mixing bowl.

Make a well in the center to add the wet ingredients – almond milk through egg. Stir until the mixture forms a well-blended batter. Fold in your desired amount of shredded coconut. I used one large handful.

Spoon batter onto a lightly greased, hot griddle or pan. Cook 2-3 minutes until small bubbles form and edges set. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes.

Plate and garnish with extra cocoa powder, shredded coconut, or powdered sugar. Go mmmmmmm.

These babies make me giddy. Promise to make some? Because I’m out and need more. Like, stat pleaseandthankyou.

• Are you a fan of coconut?
• Best part of your weekend?